(Yes, I know that people hate it when someone "revives" an old thread, but I didn't want to start a new one just to ask this...)

I see (on the Offical Maxis Sims 2 site) that as of March 26th, there is- supposedly- a new patch available for Pets. Anyone know if it was as big a pain-in-the-rear (a.k.a total disaster) as the original patch? Or am I still better off without it?

Rumor had it that it fixes the original patch as well as patching some more problems. I'm still waiting for the dust to settle before I install Pets so I can't attest to the validity of the rumors, though.

Yes, it looks as if it has fixed issues I had introduced with the Pets patch. Patches to fix patches..... gah!

Good lord, that IS something! Is this a 1st, or does anyone know of another "patch-of-a-patch" situation??

Greg, I am wondering the same thing: When I (re) install Pets (on my way to Seasons) should I go ahead & use this "new improved" patch? (I'm gonna asume that if the folks at MATY haven't feaked out yet, then it won't cause conflicts with the various mods/hacks there....right?? )

Greg: I'm about to install the second patch, which according to the documentation includes the fixes from the first patch. Will let you know how it plays. When you install Pets, make sure you get the updated versions of your hacks!

Zirconia: I'm pretty sure many of the MATY crew have the second patch plus Seasons, so I'd go ahead and use it. Again, update your hacks!

Yeah, the tedium of having to update all those hacks is the number one reason I haven't installed Pets.

I'm also wondering about all the custom objects in my game. Lots of them had Pets versions which I did not download. If I install Pets, will it update those objects or do I have to figure out which ones need Pets versions? (In the latter case, I think that means I'll never install Pets because there must be hundreds of 'em and I have no idea which is which.)

I think the main reason for the Pets versions of many custom objects is that the gameplay of Pets includes the pets attacking furniture and toys - eating the sofa seems to be a popular pastime among strays in my Hoods.
Or the kid's teddy.

If you don't want them to chew the sofa, use a pre-Pets version.

Cats can go onto counters - well I don't like that so I switch out the Maxis counters for custom pre-Pets ones.

Same with sitting on the couch (cats) or bed (both cats and dogs).

I don't think you need to get the pets versions otherwise.

Caveat: You do need to use Maxis only or Pets versions IF you want to train a pet. I just swap in the odd item here and there, rather than let the little b***ers wreck the house.